Date: Tue, 22 Feb 94 13:47:49 EST
From: MGETTY@ucs.indiana.edu
Subject: GLB Hoosiers Betrayed by State Senate (No Surprise)
On Monday morning, 2/21, the Senate Corrections Committee
voted 5-3 to take out sexual orientation from the list of protected categories
in the Hate Crimes Bill. (Ironically, only one of the three who voted to
keep us in is pro-gay -- Sen. Anita Bowser, D-LaPorte -- the other two
were Republicans who don't want to protect anybody at all and oppose the
whole bill) Gays and lesbians were taken out of the bill as a result of a
compromise between the bill's Democratic sponsors and the Republicans,
who control the Senate by a wide margin.
On WEDNESDAY, 2/23, the bill will reach the floor for second
reading. This is the time when amendments can be offered, and Bloomington
Senator Vi Simpson has suggested that she will propose an amendment to restore
the language about sexual orientation. The chances of this passing the whole
Senate are dismal, but at least there will be a debate and hopefully a
recorded vote (so we can see who are friends and enemies are). We don't
want to go down without a fight.
The gay groups in Indianapolis and the statewide organizations are
working now to KILL the bill if gays are not included. Their rationale is that
it will take years for us to get added in on our own at a later date, and that
the immediate effects of our being excluded would be to encourage even more
hate crimes against us. Open season would be declared on gays and lesbians,
they have told legislators and the press. They would rather vote it down this
time around and try next year to build a more solid coalition among the minority
groups listed in the bill.
Right now, it is unclear if we/they can succeed in stopping the bill
from passing without us in it. The Governor has made it a part of his crime
package and is eager to secure a legislative victory. Also, convincing enough
members to vote against it on the grounds that it is incomplete is a difficult
task, if not impossible.
ACTION:
* You can do a world of good by calling Sen. Simpson at the Senate
Switchboard, 1-800-382-9467, to encourage her to hold firm
to her commitment to protecting gays and lesbians and to go
ahead with her plans to offer an amendment restoring the
sexual orientation language.
* If you know any other senators, you could call the same number and
urge them to support the amendment to put sexual orientation
back in, and tell them to oppose the bill if it doesn't include
gays and lesbians
* for more info: Justice 1-800-886-GAYS